Adventure Ideas 5, 6, & 8

5) Work in a coffee farm with my wonderful friend in St. Louis.

6) Go to Spain to visit my Aunt (maybe with my lil sis).

AND

8) Just move to a Spanish speaking country for no reason.

I put these last three ideas from my original list together because they are still possible dreams for the future, but they will probably not happen this year--which is okay.

Kudos to T. Bill

Being a Barista in the coffee industry, I would still love to visit a coffee farm with the intent of learning all I can about the process. Tom Billionis, owner of The Coffee Ethic (my boss), visited the Los Planes farm in El Salvador. I would love to spend some time there someday.


My friend, Lizzy, is also interested in learning this process, and we have tossed around the idea of going to work on a farm together, but the details are probably not going to work out this summer. She is applying for an internship with the Bread and Puppet Theater, and I really hope she gets it. I think it is still a good possibility for the both of us in the future. We both love adventure, the Hispanic culture, travelling, and coffee.

Kudos to Weheartit

Spain. I want to visit Spain a lot. My mom's sister, Lynne, lives in Spain with her husband and adorable son, Andrew. I would love to visit her with my mom...possibly with my sister as well. This is still a possibility, but it would be a short trip. 

Originally, I thought it would be awesome to spend a month there with my sister because she and I both like to expand our Spanish skills. She is also graduating high school this year, and I want to take advantage of the time we have together before we live miles apart from each other.

Kudos to Me

Moving to a random Spanish-speaking country was appealing to me at one time because it would be much cheaper than studying abroad. Who needs school credit anyhow? However, this suggestion is probably the most "dangerous" adventure because I would be alone in a foreign country for a significant time period. I would learn Spanish really quick though and be able to eat Pollo Campero whenever I want. I love Pollo Campero!

Kudos to Weheartit

I have been thinking all semester about my possible summer adventures. I have made a decision, but I am not going to tell you yet. I will announce it on January 15th, so be looking. 

P.S. I am going to be starting a new blog series on January 3rd involving coffee tips. It will essentially be a weekly post with coffee making and history basics. I am no expert, but I hope to share my little knowledge of the coffee industry with you. 

P.P.S. My blog's one year anniversary is right around the corner, and I plan on having a special for it.


Good-bye 2010! Hello, 2011!
Happy New Year! 

Train Ride Across America

10) I want to leave room to DREAM.

So I have been thinking a lot about adventures I want to take over the last couple of months. For much of my life, I have been focused on getting out of America--seeing the WORLD. I love other cultures and languages and traditions. I have always fast forward through American history classes and over-studied zealously for World history classes. I take culture classes like it was my major or something (it is not). 

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Anyway, I got to thinking the other day how as much as I want to see the world, I really haven't see much of my own backyard, which is a shame. I have been to Chicago, Colorado, Ohio, Texas, and I am told that I went to New York as a baby (which doesn't count).

America is such a melting pot, and I have neglected to consider all the rich culture I could find in it.

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New Possible Plan: 1)Take my last General Education course, Geography. 2)See America. 3)Tour and volunteer at non-profits  and drink good coffee in that city.

In other words, I am considering visiting some close friends across the States, staying with them for a week or so, setting up a volunteer gig at a local non-profit, and visiting the local coffee shops.

For example, my beau's mom lives in Tulsa, OK. I have thought about visiting her for a week or so, volunteering at the Hispanic library (because they have a large Hispanic population) and frequenting a shop like Topeca to learn more about their coffee process. 

I want this to involve a train as a side note.

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My American Bucket List:

1) Visit Travis' mom in Tulsa, OK and volunteer at the Hispanic library and go to Topeca.

2) Visit Robbie and Katie Britt in Seattle, WA. Possibly tour World Vision Headquarters and visit as many coffee shops as possible.

3) Visit my current roommate Mallory Roth and former co-worker Jon Freihofer in Portland, OR. Drink LOTS of coffee.

4) Visit my friends, Jay and Amber, in Pittsburgh, PA. They are doing some great work with Americorp, and I know their is a lot of coffee and history there.

5) Visit my friend Lizzy in St. Louie, hang out with the Kaldi's coffee crew, and possibly work with Three Avocados, a non-profit coffee company.

6) Visit my Aunt Pam in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a PR professor at Belmont University.

7) Visit my former RA, Megan Eubanks, in Chicago, IL, check out World Vision, and Intelligentsia. 

8) Go home to Cape Girardeau, MO to be a part of the re-opening of my mom's cafe, and possibly work with Room for One More, an adoption awareness non-profit.

9) Visit my cousin, Christy, in California. Period.

10) Tour Compassion International in Colorado Springs, CO.

11) Visit my Aunt Sue in Indiana.

12) See a Broadway show in New York...for no apparent reason. :)

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OK, so there is my new idea. I definitely want to complete one of these bucket list items this year, but I think I can do more.

Thoughts? Comments? Ideas? 

This Christmas

With Christmas only an half an hour away, I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and remind you of something special about the season.

One of my favorite original Christmas songs is "This Christmas" by Tobymac. It reminds us to think of others less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas--especially the orphans.

This topic resonates strongly with my heart because I am passionate about orphans and caring for them.

So as you celebrate with your family, remember the children all over the world who don't have a family and breath a small prayer for them.

Adventures with Ladybug

7) Visit my friend's (let's call her ladybug) sister in South Korea.

Do you have a friend who knows you better than anyone? Who know matter how much time you spend apart it is like no time has passed when you talk? A friend who brings out the side of you that no one else can?

I do. Her name is Suzie Delacruz. Today is her 22nd birthday, and this post is dedicated to her.

As you can see, we kind of look at like. We were always either mistaken for each other or thought to be sisters. I am okay with that mistake because she is beautiful, and I think of her as my second sister. My parents even refer to her as their other daughter, and she has a key to my parent's house (I don't). 

We met a little place called Peaceful Valley Camp, where we started out as campers and ended up as counselors. This photo is us being silly for our girls in our cabin. (They like seeing their counselors be goofy...)

Our friendship blossomed when I transferred to Jackson Senior High School, where she went to school. She was there for me in a time of life most people hate, but we lived it to the fullest. We were not the coolest, prettiest, or smartest girls in the school, but we had each other and that was all that mattered.

We compliment each other well. I am organized, academic, a bit shy, and a not very flexible. Suzie is extremely responsible, hates school, is everyone's friend, and refreshingly spontaneous. I helped her with homework, and she helped me live. Seriously, I would be such a boring person if Suzie had not shown me it is okay to go with the flow sometimes and just let loose. 

We went on our first road trip together to visit her sister and sister's husband in Ohio before they left for South Korea. It was such a fun trip. Suzie got a tattoo, and I got to meet one of her good friends from elementary school.

This past summer, we went to Chicago together with two other girls. Again, we had such a great time.

It has been over two years since Suzie has seen her sister, and she really wants to visit her in South Korea this summer. With our history of adventures, it would just make sense for me to accompany her. Finances are a big obstacle, though. Neither one of us know if it is possible with the cost of the plane tickets.

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I treasure my friendship with Suzie. We have been the best of friends since sophomore year of high school. Even being in college 4 hours a part from each other for 3 years, we have managed to maintain our friendship.

I would love to have another adventure with her before either one of us settle down.

Ladybug, I love you! I am sorry I can be with you on your special day, but I am thinking about you. I can't wait to see you next week for Christmas! With love, Beb. 

I Got a Pen

 So I got a new pen this week...

This doesn't mean a whole lot to any of you, but the reason I got the pen means a lot to me. 

I am a PR student, as you may know. This semester, I was in Dr. Dyer's Public Relations Writing Class. We got "clients" to write our pieces on; mine was AIDS Project of the Ozarks. And Dr. Dyer always encouraged us to get our work published.

Well, this past Wednesday, I had my first PR piece published in the Springfield News-Leader.

Dr. Dyer promised a pen if we got published. It says: 

"Personal Excellence Award

Dr. Dyer says: Well Done".

I have had pieces in the paper before, but not like this one. The News-Leader did not ask me to write it (nor did they pay me for it); I annoyed them until they put it in the paper. Well, annoy might be a strong word--you get the picture.

Do you know what the best part was though? The first person to congratulate me that I did not tell was my former supervisor at Ozarks Food Harvest. Lindsey Neddenriep tagged me in a her Facebook status, and it made my day.

The best part of the pen is it lights up!

If the coolness of this pen is any indicator of my future in PR, I would say it is bright! ;)

Coffee Kids?

4) Apply for an internship with Coffee Kids in Sante Fe, NM.

So I have no information on this, but I wanted to hear feedback anyway.

Coffee Kids is a now-profit organization whose mission is to "work with coffee-farming families to improve their lives and livelihoods." It is located in Sante Fe, New Mexico. In essence, Coffee Kids seeks to help build the communities of Latin America that are affected by coffee reproduction. Many coffee companies such as The Coffee Ethic partner with Coffee Kids as a way to give back the the communities who are supplying them with fabulous coffee.

It is not just about the coffee, though. Coffee Kids works with farmers and villages directly helping them develop and well-rounded economy, so that they are not reliant upon fluctuating coffee prices. Their focus is on grass root efforts, micro-finance, etc. For more info check out their website.

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So there is no "formal" information about an internship with them on their website, but I do have a contact person who used to work there as the Communications Manager. I would essentially e-mail them to see if it is even possible.

This definitely is adventurous (I have never been to nor do I know anyone in New Mexico). It involves coffee, culture, community, AND PR.

So what do you think?

Wine, Fashion, and Beer

So this semester has been a successful one for Community Relations in PRSSA at Missouri State, if I do say so myself.

In one week, we volunteered at a Wine Tasting at MacDoodles for GYN Cancer Alliance, walked the runway for a Girls Night Out at Talbots for Ozarks Food Harvest, and put on Beerfest at the Shrine Mosque for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks.

Here are some pictures to enjoy: 

Wine Tasting for GYN Cancer Alliance

"Girls Night Out" for Ozarks Food Harvest

Lindsey, PR Manager at OFH, could not help but try on an outfit even though she was not planning on being a model.

All fashion show photos are from http://www.facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest

Sorry, no photos from Beerfest because I did not attend, but I hear great things from my fellow PR volunteers. And I look forward to what next semester holds for PRSSA!

P.S. Wednesday is World AIDS Day, and I plan on spending it at the Candlelight Vigil at Founder's Park in Springfield, MO sponsored by AIDS Project of the Ozarks. The event starts at 5 p.m. and will last until 6 p.m. Please consider attending to support the people in our community struggling with this terrible disease. If you cannot make that, mark December 6th on your calendar because Jeanne White-Ginder is speaking at MSU in honor of World AIDS DAY.

Compassion International in Colorado

3) Apply for an internship with Compassion International in Colorado Springs, CO.

Ever since I decided to become a Public Relations major two years ago, I dreamed about applying to Compassion International Internship program. It seems to be a great summer program, and I like Colorado Springs.

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Here are the details:

1. Students that graduate between May 2011 and May 2013 are eligible. Check.
2. Have a 3.2 GPA. Check.
3. It is a 10 week program from May 23, 2011 to August 1, 2011.
4. Deadline for application is January 9,  2011.
5. Internships available in the Communications Department.
6. More detailed job descriptions available December 6, 2010!
7. Optional Vision Trip August 4-11, 2011 to Dominican Republic. Cost $1, 200.
8. Paid internship of $8 an hour.
9. Four day work weeks (Monday through Thursday) and Friday will be a rotating volunteer day.
10. Out-of-state students have the option to living with a Compassion host home for $300. Transportation not provided.

Of course, I would have to find a fabulous coffee shop to work in there to incorporate coffee into this adventure. I am not familiar with the area, so I am up for ideas! This idea excites me because it would take care of the summer and fulfill every aspect of what I want this adventure to be. 

I would get to see the States as well as another country and get another internship all at the same time.

Thoughts?

I am a Barista

Pic by Koni

I am a Barista at a local coffee shop in Springfield, MO called The Coffee Ethic and have been for one year now. However, I have been a Barista for 4 years starting at my mom's cafe: Grace Cafe. Unfortunately her shop closed down two years ago, because Cape Girardeau wasn't ready for her coffee. She was ahead of her time.

Pic by Liz Church

Now, I am going to school in Springfield and work at the most EPIC coffee shop in the world: The Coffee Ethic. A year before I moved to Springfield, I lived in Bolivar and use to drive 45 minutes just to get a cup of coffee from this place. I really am living a dream come true!

Pic by Koni

Sometimes I am just in awe of coffee, the process it has to go under before it gets to a customer-- especially, espresso. It is just beautiful sometimes. The rich color takes my breath away.

Pic by Me

 I always joke that I do my best Barista work in my skinny jeans. You know just reinforcing the third wave stereotypes, but I don't have any tattoos or facial hair so I am already an oddball. ;)

 

Pic by Koni

My favorite part of being a Barista is the people. I have met so many great people in the Springfield community and from all over the world. In fact, today, I met a guy who rooms with a Barista in Dayton, Ohio and was told he had to try our Clover. Also, two Baristas from a Tulsa, Oklahoma shop called Topeca came in, and we had some great conversations.

Pic by Koni

The sense of community created in a coffee shop is incredible, and I love what I do.

Chicago: Children and Coffee

2) Apply for an internship with World Vision in Chicago, IL

and

9) Work at an awesome coffee shop wherever I end up.

This past summer, I took a two day trip to Chicago with ladybug and two other friends. It was so fun to learn how to navigate the city (I ended up being the tour guide). It was intimidating occasionally to be four girls alone in a strange, big city, but it was worth it.

Kudos to me

Big cities have always intimidated me, but now I want to go back. One of my favorite non-profits, World Vision, has a location in Chicago. World Vision is a "Christian relief, development and advocacy organization" committed to communities and families across the globe to lower poverty and erase injustice. One of there most familiar programs is the child sponsorship program. Read my review of World Vision's president's new book here.

So applying for an internship would be a great way to get back to the Windy City.

Kudos to ladybug

So here's the scoop: 

World Vision in Chicago is looking for:

"Managers for Team World Vision are looking for students who have knowledge of or background in grassroots marketing, social media or event planning.

The U.S. Programs department is looking for students who are passionate about domestic issues and have strong interpersonal skills."

Okay, that is right up my alley! I love grassroots marketing, social media, and event planning. I even bought a book this year about social media and PR. 

They offer internships in the fall, spring, and summer semesters to anyone enrolled in a university or one year after graduation. Some stipends are available for graduates (not me) and housing is not available. Interns are asked to give up 10 to 12 weeks and work at least 15 hours a week but encouraged to work 30 to 40 hours a week.

Kudos to me

With no monetary stipend though, I would need a part-time job. Coffee shop is a must. While I was in Chicago, I visited the Intelligentsia store in Millennium Park. It was so incredible. I felt like I was in a laboratory of coffee goodness. Definitely, a good example of a third wave coffee shop. 

Or any coffee shop for that matter like Wormhole Coffee, The Coffee and Tea Exchange, or a random mom and pop one I happen to stumble in. 

Kudos to me and Intelligentsia Coffee for a great single origin cappecino

All in all, this sounds AWESOME and SCARY. I would have to find somewhere to live for three months like maybe a family or an apartment. I would have to find a job and live in a giant city, essentially alone. Getting an internship with World Vision might be worth the risk though, we will see.

Thoughts on this possible adventure?

Exploring the Ecuador Experience

1) Study Abroad in Ecuador with Missouri State University

Okay, so option one I am exploring is studying abroad. I have always wanted to study abroad, but the timing has never been right. A whole semester is just too much for me at this point in my life. However, the Spanish Department at Missouri State University has a four week program every summer. This year they are going to Ecuador!

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So here's the scoop:

The program is May 22, 2011 to June 19, 2011. It costs...wait for it...$4,000. Although that is terribly expensive, it includes everything as well as getting 6 hours of credit towards my Spanish minor. Yeah! The deadline is March 4, 2010 with a non-refundable deposit of $300. The teacher chaperon is Dr. Roger Dowdy.

We would stay two students to a room with a host family that are native speakers and go to class everyday. The classes are taught by native speakers, and there are four students to every teacher. Talk about personal attention! Dr. Dowdy said that each Thursday they volunteer at a Boys and Girls Club sort of thing and just play with the lower income kids. (Which is a great way to learn Spanish like I discussed in a previous post) On the weekends, there will be multiple "excursions", Dr. Dowdy said.

In conclusion, great opportunity that costs a lot of $$$. To me, I like the idea of study abroad because in the realms of adventure, it is safe. I know, lame reason but I am not much of a risk taker. This would be an adventure filled with rich experience, but I know I would be provided for and taken care of, for the most part.   

This trip would definitely embody community and culture by emerging myself in a new culture and community, which would leave room for a coffee adventure! I have been wanting to spend more than a week in a Spanish speaking country for a long time to harness my language skills, and this could be my chance.

What do you think?

Halloween Night at the Museum

Friday night, it was PRSSA's first volunteering event coordinated by me. Me, Lindsey, Travis, and Doug all helped out at The Discovery Center's Halloween Night at the Museum.

It was such a neat idea. Kids came dressed in costume and could go to different booths that were both scientific and about Halloween. The grand finale involved blowing up pumpkins. I didn't get to see it because I was cleaning, but it sounded like a lot of fun.

My favorite part of volunteering at events like this is meeting new people. I greeted with a sweet lady named Linda, who was a Drury student in a Organic Chemistry class. During candy lulls, we got to chit chat, and it is always fun to meet new people. :)

 It was so fun! I was a greeter at the door, so I had the best seat for all the cute costumes the kids wore. There were a lot of Spidermen, Woodys, and Buzz Lightyears. I also gave out candy at the end, so I think I was automatically the kids favorite volunteer.

My friend, Megan West, who works at The Discovery Center, was also there and a cat like me! It was good to see her at her work place.

Travis, my beau, was a sheriff. He was so sweet to help with my volunteer event!

Me, Doug, and Lindsey posed for a picture for at the end of the night. (Lindsey was a "cereal killer", which was pretty creative.) All in all, I would call this event a great success for The Discovery Center and PRSSA. Looking forward to more opportunities to volunteer this year!